Arsenal target Jovetic could be Mourinho’s first Chelsea signing

The Special One set to put Arsene Wenger's nose out of joint again, as Spurs close in on David Villa

ARSENE WENGER never got on that well with Jose Mourinho when he was manager of Chelsea the first time, and the pair look set to renew their rivalry after one of the Special One returned to London and set about wrecking Arsenal's chances of signing striker Stevan Jovetic.

The Gunners have been linked with the Montenegrin hitman for months and at one pointed seemed the odds on favourites to sign him from Fiorentina.

But then Juventus expressed an interest, and now Chelsea have also joined the race for the highly-rated 23-year-old. The Times reports that the new Blues boss wants to make Jovetic his first signing and has opened talks with the Italian club and are willing to pay £23m.

More of a blow for the Gunners is the Times's claim that the player would prefer to move to Chelsea rather than Arsenal. It would not be the first time it has happened. Juan Mata was originally linked to Arsenal, and Eden Hazard was also targeted by Wenger before moving to Stamford Bridge. Seeing Jovetic playing for Chelsea would be a bitter pill for the Emirates faithful to have to swallow.

Meanwhile reports in Spain are linking another Arsenal target to their bitter local rivals, Spurs. For much of the January transfer window it seemed as though Barcelona striker David Villa was about to up sticks for the Emirates, but according to Catalan website E19 the 31-year-old striker is now poised to join Spurs.

Apparently it has taken something in the region of £12m and some serious sweet-talking from Andre Villas-Boas to lure the Spain striker to the Lilywhite side of the north London divide, but Arsenal do still have a trump card up their sleeves in the form of Champions League football.

Talking of long-term Arsenal targets, does anyone remember Etienne Capoue? The Daily Express suggests that he could, finally, be bound for the Premier League this summer after announcing that he wanted to leave Toulouse.

The paper says that the usual array of suitors are in place, with the exception of relegated QPR. So that means the French midfielder will get to choose between Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool.

Meanwhile, back at Chelsea and Sky Sports reports that Jose Mourinho's first signing at Chelsea will be Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, which will probably make Arsenal fans a little happier.

Dzeko arrived at the Etihad in 2011 from German club Wolfsburg, but under Roberto Mancini he has struggled to break into the starting XI. Though recent rumours suggested the 27-year-old Dzeko could be set for a return to Germany, Sky claims he is set for "a surprise switch to Stamford Bridge".

Finally, Talksport claims that West Ham are still no closer to knowing if Andy Carroll will make his move to Upton Park permanent. The 24-year-old striker spent last season in east London on loan from Liverpool, and West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is "determined" to sign him full-time. But while the Hammers have apparently agreed a £15m fee with Liverpool for the England man, Carroll is yet to agree to the deal.

Currently sunning himself in Florida, Carroll will make his decision when he returns. But West Ham are cautiously optimistic his flowing locks will be back at the club in August. The Standard reports that Newcastle are unlikely to table a bid for their former striker while Liverpool are anxious for the deal to go through so they can put the money to good use in the summer transfer market.